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The Bilfinger Hydrogen Project . Image courtesy of Spolchemie .
Towards a CO2-neutral factory
The potential for industry and environment is enormous and the hydrogen boom has long since begun – billiondollar investments have already been made or are in the planning stages .
Text and images by Messe Düsseldorf
Valves and actuators play a key role in those billion-dollar investments , as they are used along the entire hydrogen process chain . However , the market has such a high dynamic that the definition of a European standard for hydrogen is still lagging behind , and there are currently programmes to investigate the hydrogen compatibility of existing valves . Still , the valve sector has plenty of experience dealing with the medium of H2 already – and can really put their foot down as it is . “ The hydrogen market is very broad ,” explains Thomas Weisschuh , Director Product Management and Innovation at AS-Schneider Group . Applications range from generation , storage and transport to use . In electrolysis , in addition to H2 , the media of water and oxygen must also be treated . Therefore , valves are very different as far as requirements are concerned – in terms of pressure , temperature and media handling . A great potential that needs leveraging – with regards to the goal of accelerating the energy transition and independence from Russian gas as well . This , for instance , makes pipelines for hydrogen necessary . By 2030 , for example , around EUR 2.5 billion are expected to be spent on creating a line from Barcelona to Marseille . Up to ten percent of the EU ’ s expected demand for green hydrogen could flow through ‘ H2Med .’
“ The maximum capacity of the Mediterranean pipeline will be two million tons of hydrogen per year ,” reports Germany Trade and Invest ( GTAI ). The pipeline is now to be extended to Germany .
High investments in H2 projects
Electrolysis systems are essential for H2 production . Samson Pfeiffer is supplying more than 1,000 control and shut-off valves for a new plant in Saudi Arabia . “ This major order gives us the opportunity to help shape the carbonneutral factory of the future ,” says Pfeiffer sales manager André Schnepper . The development was also confirmed by AS- Schneider . There is , for example , a high level of investment in H2 projects in the Middle East . “ These countries are gearing up for the time after oil and gas ,” explains Thomas Weisschuh . Plants for some large projects are supplied by European companies such as ThyssenKrupp and Siemens . Hydrogen is used in various industries , including the food sector . The MPreis manufacturer in Austria , for example , invested EUR 13 million in a large singlestack electrolysis plant . H2 from renewable sources will be produced for use both in their large bakery and transport truck . The order comprises a total of 200 valves , for instance , 70 stainless steel ball valves .
56 Valve World August 2023 www . valve-world . net